Undeclared care work in the EU: Policy approaches to a complex socioeconomic challenge
Foilsithe: 25 March 2025
The scale of undeclared care work (paid care work that is lawful but not declared to public authorities) in the EU is considerable. Recent estimates suggest that 6.8 million undeclared workers provide care or household services across the EU, with 2.1 million specifically in the care sector. Undeclared care workers are predominantly women and often are migrants. They have poor working conditions and limited social protection and are at a heightened risk of exploitation.
This report examines undeclared care work in the EU, its characteristics and the challenges faced by people working in this sector. It briefly describes the complex drivers of undeclared care work and presents a range of policy responses implemented across the EU to tackle it. The findings underscore the need for a comprehensive policy framework that not only addresses immediate enforcement challenges but also tackles structural barriers to formalisation while ensuring good working conditions and social protection for care workers
Tabhair faoi deara, le do thoil, nach bhfuil formhór na bhfoilsiúchán de chuid Eurofound ar fáil ach i mBéarla agus níl siad á n-aistriú go huathoibríoch faoi láthair.
Tá faisnéis sa rannán seo faoi na sonraí atá san fhoilsiúchán seo.
This publication contains the following figures.
Figure 1: Classification of care work
Figure 2: A working definition of undeclared care work
Figure 3: Direct and indirect measures to prevent and formalise undeclared care work
Molann Eurofound an foilsiúchán seo a lua ar an mbealach seo a leanas.
Eurofound (2025), Undeclared care work in the EU: Policy approaches to a complex socioeconomic challenge, Eurofound research paper, Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg.
